POLITICS CORNER

[Stanley]

See THIS for the top story......
Israelis and Palestinians have celebrated as a major hostage and prisoner exchange on Monday marked a significant step towards ending two years of war in Gaza. In a crucial first phase of the US-brokered plan to end the war, Hamas returned all living Israeli hostages, while Israel freed almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. There were emotional scenes as families of the Israeli hostages screamed and cried with happiness as they embraced their freed loved ones. And for the Palestinians who were freed from Israeli jails, crowds waving flags greeted them joyfully as they arrived on buses in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. US President Donald Trump landed in Israel minutes after the first hostages were reunited with their families, and in a speech to Israel's parliament, the Knesset, declared a "historic dawn in a new Middle East". He then flew on to a summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to meet more than 20 leaders for talks on later phases of his Gaza peace plan. At the summit Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the US signed a declaration as guarantors of the ceasefire deal which is aimed at ending two years of war that has left Gaza in ruins. But amid the diplomatic celebrations and the joy of reunions between family members, many challenges still lie ahead if the ceasefire is to be built into a lasting peace.

[Stanley]

I have just listened to King Abdullah of Jordan saying some very sensible things.... Asked if there was any chance of peace following the present cease fire he said no. When asked why he said that there could be no peace as long as Netanyahu's extreme right wing government holds power because their continuation of war against the Palestinians is the only way they can survive and avoid retribution for what they have done.
So, it looks as though all we can look forward to is an eventual break-down of talks and a resumption of action against the Palestinians.
This of course directly contradicts Trump's forecast of peace spreading across the Middle East..... Surprise surprise!

[Julie in Norfolk]

Ceasefire, rest and reform, call out on a tiny perceived "act of insurrection", start all over again.

[Stanley]

Exactly Julie......

HERE'S the latest update.....
Updated 1 hour ago
Hamas has returned the bodies of four more deceased hostages, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said. The Red Cross retrieved the remains in coffins and handed them over to the Israeli military late on Tuesday night. The transfer came after Israel warned it would restrict aid into Gaza until Hamas returned the bodies of all 28 deceased hostages. The Palestinian armed group handed back 20 living and four deceased hostages on Monday. The remains of 45 deceased Palestinians who had been held in Israel were returned to Gaza on Tuesday, the Red Cross said in a statement.

THIS grubby little piece of domestic politics caught my attention.....
9 hours ago
Former House of Lords Speaker Baroness D'Souza faces an eight-week suspension after complaining to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner about "unfair" speeding fines. A Lords inquiry found the 81-year-old peer broke rules on "personal honour" by writing to Sir Mark Rowley on Lords headed notepaper to query multiple breaches of the 20mph limit adding up to £400 in fines. Baroness D'Souza said she only wanted to "open a conversation" on London speed limits, but later called the letter to Sir Mark "unwise" and said she regretted sending it. The Lords Standards Commissioner ruled the letter was "an attempt to influence" the police investigation.

[Stanley]

THIS claimed priority for me over matters of state.....
A company linked to Baroness Michelle Mone has failed to meet a deadline to repay £122m for breaching a Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) contract. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) won a legal case earlier this month against PPE Medpro, a consortium led by Lady Mone's husband Doug Barrowman, over claims the PPE did not comply with relevant healthcare standards. A High Court judge ruled some of the company's gowns they supplied were not "sterile". Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said the government would "pursue PPE Medpro with everything we've got to get these funds back" after the company failed to pay the damages cost by 16:00 BST on Wednesday. PPE Medpro entered administration on 30 September, the day before the court judgement. Streeting said: "At a time of national crisis, PPE Medpro sold the previous government substandard kit and pocketed taxpayers' hard-earned cash. "PPE Medpro has failed to meet the deadline to pay - they still owe us over £145 million, with interest now accruing daily." The firm was ordered to pay interest of £23.6m, which means the total sum owed is £145.6m. According to the DHSC, this sum will accrue interest at 8% per year from Thursday until it is fully paid.
Are they trying to escape the debt by going bankrupt?

[PanBiker]

They should strip her of her peerage and chuck her in prison for a while. That should give her a bit of thinking time.

[Stanley]

I agree Ian. There are so many circumstances where I can't understand why the power of arrest is not used. The bankers in 2008 was a case in point. Mone and her ilk are just the latest rash of misfits on the horizon, there will be more. I have nothing but contempt for them.....

Have a look at what constitutes news on budget matters......
The UK economy grew slightly in August, official figures show, as focus intensifies on what measures the government might unveil in next month's Budget. An increase in manufacturing output helped the economy expand by 0.1%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, but the figure for July was revised down from zero growth to a contraction of 0.1%. The government has made boosting the economy a priority, but economists predict growth will remain sluggish partly due to people waiting to see what measures Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces in the Budget. Many analysts expect that tax rises or spending cuts will be needed to meet the chancellor's self-imposed borrowing rules. The Institute for Fiscal Studies is projecting Reeves will need to find £22bn to bolster the government's finances and meet her rules, and will "almost certainly" have to raise taxes. But the influential think tank said the chancellor should be "bold" in next month's Budget, and build up a large financial buffer to avoid future spending cuts and tax rises. On Wednesday, Reeves said she was "looking at further measures on tax and spending, to make sure that the public finances always add up". Her comments were seen as the clearest sign yet that tax rises will be in the Budget, with speculation growing over what measures she might take.
Forgive me for raining on Rachel's parade but isn't 0.1% seen as being within the range of statistical error? Surely a more honest interpretation would be to say that the economy is flat-lining.... bumping along the bottom as the government tries desperately to prove otherwise.
Perhaps the most reasonable interpretation is the one all politicians dread. That we are looking at that most challenging of economic ills, 'stagflation'.
(LINK)

[PanBiker]

Whenever there is a budget there is always a huge amount of guessing and conjecture as to what it may contain. It all pointless and just feeds the "what if this and what if that news" bulletins. I can never understand all this nonsense, there is nothing mere mortals can do by what if's, just wait for the dictate from the horses mouth so to say. Then discuss.....

[Stanley]

Ian, I agree with you on the importance of the budget to the ordinary voter but the reason why it gets so much attention from the media and politicians is that they have to have something that looks as though they understand and control. Harold had it right when he said that most political activity was generated by "Events Dear Boy!"

HERE'S this morning's 'event'......
3 hours ago
After so many scandals, Prince Andrew has given up the use of his titles and honours. He can no longer sign off as the Duke of York, or put "KG", a Knight of the Garter, after his name, with a flourish of medieval chivalry. The Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh are also scratched off his list of titles, with "Andrew Inverness" a name he'd sometimes used in his business dealings. But what's caused this sudden announcement? Particularly as this dramatic move, removing the remaining vestiges of his royal life, comes with an assertion of his innocence and that he continued to "vigorously deny the accusations against me".Prince Andrew has voluntarily given up the use of his titles - but he was clearly under pressure to jump before he was pushed. This way, the changes in his status are kept in-house and there doesn't have to be the intervention of Parliament, which would have needed to legislate to take away his title as Duke of York. That would have been messy, but the Palace was already sending signals it was prepared to take action, and it was confident that Parliament, and popular opinion, would have supported such a change. Allowing Andrew to voluntarily give up his titles, which theoretically remain in place, gave him a way out, still holding on to a little of the disappearing vapour trail of his pride. But it's no secret that Buckingham Palace was exasperated with the scandals surrounding Prince Andrew and what a royal source calls the "constant parade of headlines". He was one of their "Dukes of Hazard" that kept making news for all the wrong reasons. Questions about Andrew's links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were drowning out the work of the rest of the Royal Family. That was on top of unanswered questions about Andrew's finances and his connections to an alleged Chinese spy.
Hands up all those who are devastated by this news.....
(I'm not sure whether it is politics but in Royal-Watcher's terms it is certainly an event!)

[Stanley]

Have a look at THIS report....
1 hour ago
The US State Department says it has "credible reports" that Hamas is planning an "imminent" attack on civilians in Gaza, which it says would violate the ceasefire agreement. A statement released on Saturday said a planned attack against Palestinians would be a "direct and grave" violation of the ceasefire agreement and "undermine the significant progress achieved through mediation efforts". The state department did not not provide further details on the attack and it is unclear what reports it was citing. The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel is currently in progress - all living hostages have been released and bodies of the deceased are still being returned to Israel. Also part of the agreement, Israel freed 250 Palestinian prisoners in its jails and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. Washington said it had already informed other guarantors of the Gaza peace agreement - which include Egypt, Qatar and Turkey - and demanded Hamas uphold its end of the ceasefire terms. "Should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire," the statement said. Hamas has not yet commented on the statement. President Donald Trump has previously warned Hamas against the killing of civilians.
One could be forgiven for thinking that this is the opportunity that both Netanyahu and Trump have been waiting so that they can proceed with the demolition of Gaza City ready for rebuilding as Israeli settlements and perhaps even commercial developments.
Too cynical? Perhaps, but we all know this is the desired end game.

[Tizer]

Note this comment buried in that report...
There are concerning reports that Gazan gangs which have looted aid convoys are currently able to move with impunity in the eastern part of the territory under Israeli control.

Netanyahu would be happy to let the gangs go around killing people so that he can blame it on Hamas and use it as justification for ending the ceasefire.

[Tripps]

After so many scandals, Prince Andrew has given up the use of his titles and honours.

Read that with care. They are taking us for fools again.(and are probably right to do so) Because this grade one wrong 'un has kindly decided not to use his titles means nothing. The move is totally reversible, and probably will be when time has done its job. Who then is now the "Duke of York"? Does the title still exist or has it been wrapped in vellum and put back on a royal shelf for future use? I suspect so. If they are serious about reining him in - why not award the title to someone else? That would stop his gallop.

Here's a possible imaginative solution.
Give it to Princess Anne. The fact that she is a woman is of no consequence - a minor issue these days, and certainly going with the flow. I note that Cantuar is also female - flying in the face of centuries of tradition and some doctrine. She cross dresses when she' rides her horse in processions, so she's half way there already.

[Stanley]

I suppose it all depends how seriously we take it David. I have had evidence from personnel who have served as 'close protection' and they convince me.
The thing that always strikes me is that he actually believes that his delivery will convince people that the moon is made of green cheese....
See THIS BBC report that gives a good idea of what triggered the withdrawal....
4 hours ago
Virginia Giuffre says she feared she might "die a sex slave" at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and his circle, her posthumous memoir reveals. The BBC has obtained a full copy of Nobody's Girl, written by the prominent accuser of convicted sex offender Epstein ahead of its publication on Tuesday, almost six months after she took her own life. In the memoir, Ms Giuffre also says she had sex with Prince Andrew on three separate occasions, including once with Epstein and approximately eight other young women. Prince Andrew, who reached a financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, has always denied any wrongdoing. The memoir, which the BBC bought from a book store in central London days before its official release date, paints a picture of a web of rich and powerful people abusing young women. At the centre of the abuse was Epstein and his former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex-trafficking charges. Ms Giuffre says that even decades later, she remembers how much she feared them both. Much of the book makes for extremely harrowing reading, as Ms Giuffre details the sadistic abuse that Epstein put her through. She says Epstein subjected her to sadomasochistic sex which caused her "so much pain that I prayed I would black out".
It makes you wonder whether the initiative was taken by Andrew or whether this was a ham-fisted attempt by the King's advisors to distance the royal family from what looks more and more like proof that Andrew was indeed directly involved.

[Tripps]

I like this from elsewhere. . .

Oh. the Grand Old Duke of York,
He had 12 Million Quid,
And he gave it to someone he never met
For something he never did!

[Whyperion]

One for the quotes thread, Tripps.

Meanwhile to confirm , the titles of (no longer HRH) Prince Andrew have been "made dormant" iike some set of sleeping giants. They cannot be given to anyone else nor is my understanding reversed back to Andy.
I always thought that Knights (of The Garter ,etc) were meant to be Chivalrous to young ladies - but maybe it was never thus even in the times of King Arthur (glad Charles never took that name as was kicked around for a while by some)

Always found it odd that flag waving British supporters have allowed themselves to be led essentially by a German family (not that did much good for local population in 2 WWs) using a French system of ruling titles to their historic friends and a legal system that is a mix of French and Latin in many descriptions - some of which escaped with the English to the forming of the US , no wonder Trump has problems with Habeas Corpus (literally (The Body(Corpse) is Residing With You ( Habitat) )
Proper English actually is really difficult like learning to read and speak a new language compared to modern english

Apart from mutterings about this that and the other in upcoming Budget ( a late November thing , presumably hoping for something to turn up in interim - Given Pizza Hut UK Restaurants have gone broke this looks a forlorn hope )

[Whyperion]

Have we got a thread for flying ideas in ?
Chinese Super Embassy planning delay , looking to be causing at best diplomatic friction with the present Chinese government.

One way to avoid a problem - it wont be cheap though.
Govt to instead Compulsory Purchase the Royal Mint site at Tower Hill. And possibly carry out the basic planned works ( inc putting in camera feeds to the security services from the blacked out areas - why ?) We need to repair the Palace of Westminster and The Commons at least needs to vacate to do that work. The Royal Mint site is secure and close to The Lords to allow Government to function and there is nearby other office space for civil servants and ministers to use. Stops the need to bother with China. Where can the money come from ? I suggest capital funds in The Crown Estate , The Duchy of Lancaster to fund acquistion and build earning them about 4percent in net rent for what, 30 years. The site can then sold.
What of China -to some extent restricting it to a small site presence in London may be no bad idea otherwise there is a bit of Space at Nine Elms, next to the US Embassy.

[Stanley]

I like that David. And let us not forget that it was Brenda who coughed up the cash.... I think she must have been spitting feathers!

I saw THIS in the politics thread this morning.....
7 hours ago
University tuition fees in England will increase every year in line with inflation from 2026 onwards, the government has announced. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed the increase for the next two years, and promised legislation which would make it happen automatically every year after that. Maintenance loans will also increase yearly in line with inflation. Speaking in Parliament, Phillipson said "charging full fees will be conditional on high quality teaching", and that only those universities providing strong outcomes for students would be able to charge the maximum fees. Universities which fall below the quality threshold set by the regulator in England, the Office for Students, will not be able to charge the new maximum and risk having a cap imposed on the number of students they can recruit. Tuition fees in England this academic year are £9,535, having increased for the first time in more than a decade last year. The inflation measure used - the Retail Price Index minus mortgage payments, or RPIx - is likely to be the one used for future increases. That inflation rate is likely to fluctuate before next year's increase, so it is not yet clear what fees students starting university in 2026 will be charged. If it was done at the current rate, fees would rise by approximately £400 a year, to over £9,900.
So my free ride to Lancaster as a Mature Student on a full maintenance grant will not be repeated any time soon. How long before the rest of education becomes a profit centre? After all with AI we won't need bright students will we?

[Whyperion]

I wonder if the numbers of 18-25 year olds not in education employment or training is actually to do with the costs now to college studies. (Remember though free tution came when income tax hovered 30 to 33 percent, increasing tution fees and cutting income tax seemed a fairer way of dealing with those workers that never went to university or equivalent). However much of the increase has been put down to health or disability (inc mental health) , however surely opportunities to study , supported where needed, would allow those in that situation at least to get into education, we had a few in wheelchairs on some courses. Perhaps tution should be prescribed on the NHS. (indeed do the statistics vary in Scotland where fees and loan arrangements differ)

[PanBiker]

Have we got a thread for flying ideas in ?

If their isn't one, make one in a suitable category, there should be an existing one where it will fit.

[Stanley]

THIS report heads the politics thread this morning.
A third abuse survivor has resigned from their role in the government's inquiry into grooming gangs. "Elizabeth" - not her real name - joined Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds, who quit the inquiry's victims and survivors liaison panel on Monday in protest. In her resignation letter, Elizabeth said the process felt like "a cover-up" and had "created a toxic environment for survivors". Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has denied claims of a cover-up and insisted her government was "committed to exposing the failures" to tackle "these appalling crimes". Elizabeth, who is from Rotherham, said she felt the process had been "scripted and predetermined", "rather than emerging from honest, open dialogue with survivors". "This sense of control and stage-management has left many of us questioning whether our voices truly matter, or whether we are being used to legitimise decisions that have already been made," she added. Survivors have been concerned that if people are already giving up on the inquiry it will not be able to gain the trust and confidence of others affected. There is also frustration around the length of time it has taking to appoint a chairperson, with some seeing this as a delay tactic because of fears of what might be exposed.
All this has the infamous 'ring of truth' and for me it suggests that too many people in positions of influence feel they are in danger of exposure if a perfectly frank and open policy was pursued.
We see too much of this sort of behaviour whenever anyone starts to probe the murkier corners of our society, we can all think of other examples. I can only hope that someone is alert to what is going on and has the capacity to protect the informants who are withdrawing and raising these concerns.
As WSC was known to say, 'Action This Day!' This is really important and we see echoes of the same syndrome in the Prince Andrew affair.....
Speaking of that, we now know how he can afford to live in a stately home supported by the taxpayer..... Have a look at THIS link.......

[Whyperion]

If ever you think a President would be better Trump is quite good blowing some US taxpayer cash on demolishing part of the White House. Though I am told the new ballroom a la Mar-A-Largo will be commercially sponsered (should we do that for the House Of Lords)

[Stanley]

See THIS update on the Child Abuse mess....
Jim Gamble, a child abuse expert who headed up the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) police command, has withdrawn from the grooming gang inquiry. The former Northern Irish police officer was a candidate to chair the probe, but said focus on political "point-scoring" had created a "highly charged and toxic environment". It comes as four survivors of grooming gangs who quit the inquiry panel said they will only return if Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips steps down. However, two more survivors, Samantha Walker-Roberts and Carly, have told the BBC they will stay on the panel and disagree with those who have resigned.
And all this happens before the inquiry is even set up!

[Stanley]

See THIS update on the child grooming inquiry.
The search for a new chair of the grooming gang inquiry is expected to take months after the process was thrown into chaos when two leading candidates pulled out. Sources told the BBC the government would move "as fast as possible" but were looking to "re-engage with the victims and survivors" to get their views on who should lead the inquiry. It comes after four members quit the inquiry's survivors panel and called for Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips to resign, accusing her of "betrayal" for denying claims the investigation might be broadened. Multiple sources have told the BBC the government are determined to keep Phillips in post. Another five abuse survivors have written to the prime minister to say they will only continue to work with the inquiry if Phillips keeps her job. There were, originally, 30 people on the panel the BBC understands - more than has been previously reported. On Wednesday, former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) Centre Jim Gamble ruled himself out of leading the grooming gang inquiry. The ex-police officer said political "point-scoring" had created a "highly charged and toxic environment". Mr Gambles withdrawal came only a day after ex-Lambeth children's services director Annie Hudson pulled out following intense media coverage
I think it's fair to say that this process has been very badly handled and is in chaos. The most pressing question now is why has this happened?

[Stanley]

THIS is the inescapable political news....
Amid the blizzard of nocturnal numbers any by-election generates, three stand out in Caerphilly this morning. Labour, so long the victor of so many a south Wales political contest, humbled, pummelled, crushed - attracting just 11% of voters. The Conservatives, so often the victor of many a UK-wide election - 2%. Yes, you read that right - the two big beasts of Westminster politics managed just 13% of the vote between them. Just one in seven voters backed either Labour or the Conservatives, which is extraordinary. This contest, for weeks, was instead a race between an outfit, Reform UK, which barely existed a few years back and another, Plaid Cymru - until now the perpetual bridesmaid in contests in Caerphilly. Between them, Plaid and Reform attracted 83% of the vote – and Plaid beat Nigel Farage's party easily.
I reflect that David could be right when he says that too many dinosaurs like me are looking back at the giants of the Party and wishing we could see their like again. This is particularly true of the Welsh Valleys... Names like Bevan and Foot carry too much weight. I hear many are asking whether this was a vote against Labour's Political path or more brutally is simply an anti Starmer vote. Some are even daring to ask if he will still lead the Party after the May local elections.....
Chris Mason is right.... this is an extraordinary result.

[Whyperion]

Given it is Starmer (and his backers) that have taken the party in the direction its going , the result is both.
Anyway a new leader of the Opposition elected now, Lucy Powell MP for a Manchester Constituency as Dep Leader of the Labour Party. How many weeks till leader depending on her performance ?

Somehow Labour have to solve the Migration Issues to win the country, and the Social Justice , housing (but not on Green Belt) , to win the party.
I have give ideas before and have no great change to make to those ideas assuming the US continues as it has , China continues to be a problem (why are we not working closer with India - maybe Migration is the long problem there) , Gaza/Israel no change and Ukraine War ends in loss to Russia by sanctio